Nancy Carolyn Houston

Nancy Carolyn Houston of Lenoir City, TN, retired educator in Knox County Schools, died on January 23, 2026, of cancer. She was 81 years and 15 days young.

Nancy was born on January 8, 1945, and raised in Iowa, living on the family farm west of Dow City. She graduated from Dow City-Arion Community High School in 1963 as Valedictorian of her class. She was a star athlete in both basketball and track. Nancy attended the University of Iowa and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1967. She was a scientist and a mathematician and studied under Dr. James Van Allen, head of the University's Department of Physics. Dr. Van Allen is known as the modern-day Father of Space Science. Collaborating with NASA director Dr. Wernher von Braun, Van Allen installed his instrumentation on a rocket developed by von Braun. Their Explorer 1 was the first successful U.S. space satellite.

Nancy was a private pilot and was within a few hours of a commercial pilot's license when younger. She was a member of Mensa.

Nancy taught the sciences and mathematics to high school students in NJ and TN. She was a dedicated environmentalist who did everything in her power to protect and save the Earth that she loved, including recycling every conceivably recyclable thing. She was a passionate advocate for actions to protect all animals. She loved and cared for every animal she encountered throughout her childhood and her adult life.

Nancy is survived by her sister, Kathleen Bedard of Phoenix, AZ; brothers, Stephen (Judy) of Moorhead and Iowa City, IA, and Michael of Harlan, IA; her nephews, David Houston of Arion, IA, and Greg (Kris) Houston of Omaha, NE; her niece, Carmen Krueger of Iowa City, IA; and many grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her Mother, Jeanne E. Houston, of Omaha, NE; her father, Harold J. Houston, of Omaha, NE; her Aunt Eleanor Buss of Council Bluffs, IA; her grandmother Kate Buss of Dow City, IA; and nephew Eric Houston of Moorhead, IA. Nancy is also survived by her kitten Baby and the many cats that gathered at her home every day for love and food and is remembered by all the animals that she cared for throughout her life. She leaves behind her friends Kathy and Jim Waddell of Lenoir City, TN; her primary caregiver Kayla Robison of Sweetwater, TN; her friend and caregiver Paullette Thomas of Sevierville, TN; and many other friends in Lenoir City who worked with her and cared about her. A special thank you to all the Amedisys home hospice healthcare professionals who cared for Nancy.

A private burial was held on February 6, 2026, in the Dow City, IA, Cemetery. Nancy was a supporter of PPAW Spay/Neuter in Lenoir City and encouraged donations to animal rescue groups.